To Charles Simpson, Esq., Barrister

Accept, most worthy of thy studious hours,
This brightest effluence of the critic powers,
Pervading every source whence Milton drew
Dim thoughts of others into radiant view,
Or shaped, and kindled, with Promethean strife,
Their crude, cold images to endless life.

Rival of JOHNSON’S tomes in every glow
That Talent sheds, or Judgment can bestow;
Guiltless of all which stains their specious page,
Envy’s fell blight, and Party’s stormy rage,
More learn’d to trace, more generous to admire,
This pours on Genius Taste’s enlightning fire.

Accept it, SIMPSON, who art skill’d to rove,
With firm unerring step, the classic grove;
And while thou feel’st the poet’s ray divine,
Rejudge the justice of the critic line
Unlike the general eye of owlish sight,
Thou find’st not darkness in excessive light.

O! while this great essay of learned art
Meets thy clear judgment, charms thy liberal heart,
Still may the donor thy kind friendship claim,
Than gold more welcome, and more wish’d than fame!